Center-channel importance
April 20, 2004
How important is a center-channel speaker to a home-theater
system? I would like to use my stereo speakers and add a pair of surrounds, at least to
start, and figure I could omit buying a center speaker. Would you advise this?
Parker Burgess
The center-channel is very important in a couple of
instances. If your front left and right speakers are not set up for optimal stereo imaging
at the listening/viewing position, you'll need a center-channel to anchor the dialogue
track on movies to the screen. As well, if you have lots of folks watching movies with
you, and therefore have them sitting more than a couple of feet off the center axis,
you'll need a center-channel so that they can clearly hear the dialogue channel. On the
other hand, if you have excellent stereo imaging and no more than a couple of centrally
located participants, a "phantom" center-channel (when the dialogue track is
reproduced by your main speakers) can be quite sufficient -- some even prefer that
arrangement. So the answer is entirely dependent on your arrangement and preferences, but
yes, what you're proposing is possible.
Old Harman/Kardon receiver
April 19, 2004
I have a circa '70s H/K 930. It has gone belly up. It keeps
blowing fuses. Is there any worth to this thing for anybody?
Tee
A quick search shows this to be pretty well-built old
stereo receiver -- dual transformers, four large filter capacitors, and some
rugged-looking heatsinks. I'd think it would make someone a good centerpiece to a
budget-minded two-channel system. If not, it would definitely rock some college kid's dorm
room. The question is, Can you find someone that will fix it?
Car audio?
April 15, 2004
Looking back through your "Ask Me" letters I
noticed that you answered some questions about car audio. Does GoodSound! review
car stereos and amps? If so is there a section I need to look in?
Brandon
Although I have answered a few questions pertaining to
car audio, our reviews are of home and portable electronics only. I suspect there are a
number of good publications that have expertise in that area, though. A quick search
turned up www.caraudiomag.com.
When seeking out reviews, your best bet is to seek out those experts with experience in
the particular areas that you're interested in; when it comes to car audio, that ain't us!
Classic equipment manuals
April 12, 2004
Is there a source for owner's manuals for older, in some
cases much older, stereo equipment? I have some of my father's Marantz components
and a McIntosh tuner, and I would like the owner's manuals so that I can learn how to use
them and get the best sound out of them. Thank you for any advice you can give me.
Chris
I've always had good luck with www.audioclassics.com. They have
an impressive selection of classic equipment as well as copies of owner's manuals,
schematics, and sales literature from way back. They also provide service for much of the
equipment they sell. You could also contact each manufacturer directly and see what they
have to offer. Good luck.
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